HODDESDON, a chapelry in the Parishes of Broxbourn and Anwell, was anciently a part of the estate of the Bassingbourns; who derived their surname from Bassingbourn, in Cambridgeshire, where they had license to embattle and fortify their Manor-House. Stephen de Bassingbourn had liberty of free-warren at Hoddesdon, a privilege that was confirmed to him on his answer to a writ of quo warranto in the time of Edward the First, The next possessor on record, after this family, apears to have been Walter de Norwich, who was thrice made Lord Treasurer in the reigns of Edward the Second and Third, and twice appointed Chief Baron of the Exchequer. In Henry the Seventh's time Sir William Say was proprietor; and after it had devolved on Mary, his daughter, married to Henry Bouchier, Earl of Essex, Henry the Eighth granted the privilege of a market weekly, and a three days annual fair, for this manor. The Market-House, an old and curious edifice of wood, supported on arches and pillars, is yet standing, though considerably out of repair; a number of rude and grotesque figures are carved on different parts. On the attainder of the Lord Parre, this manor, with his other possessions, was seized by the Crown; and Queen Elizabeth afterwards granted it to Robert Cecil, Earl of Salisbury, whose descendant, the Marquis of VOL. VII. MARCH, 1806. Salisbury,

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and parked yn every side ys yn length 360 tayllors yards. Aula continet in longitudine 34 pedes et in latitudine 24 pedes. Item claustri longitudo continet 17 virgas et dimidium, et latitudo continet 13 virgas. Longitudo unius quadrati principalis curiæ ex parte boriali continet 28 virgas. Item continet 39 virgas in longitudine ex parte orientali manerii. Item dictus Andreas per 8 Annos in Anglia existens custodiebat capellam in domo sua de presbiteris, clericis, et choristis, qualibet die 16, cum 4 presbiteris ad expensas C libr. per annum. Item dedit ecclesiæ Wyndham Abbey xv capas de panno auro coloris blodii cum les ørfreys cum suis arnis.—Perquificio manerii de Rye constabat 1130 libr. Item granarium, 16 equi, et 30 vaccæ, cum le storehows mercandizarum 2000 marce.-Item le byldyng de le inner court edificat. cum bryke, et cameris cum claustro cum reparacionibus ad summam ii m marcarum,”

* See under Bennington, p. 196.

Salisbury, is now owner. Hoddesdon Chapel is a neat brick structure, and was erected in place of a more ancient building about twenty years ago. Near the Market-house is a Conduit of good water, which is supplied by pipes from a spring at some distance, and was erected by the Rawdons, a respectable family of this town; and is kept in order by a bequest of a certain sum annually, made by Marmaduke Rawdon, Esq. in the year 1679. The number of houses in Hoddesdon, as returned under the late act, was 227; that of inhabitants, 1227. The buildings are mostly disposed on the sides of the high road, and form a handsome street.

BROXBOURN was granted by the Conqueror to Hugh de Grentemaisnill, who settled it on his wife Adeliza; after whose death, Ivo, their fourth son, inherited, his brothers being all deceased. He gave it to the Abbey of Bermondsey, in Surrey, where his mother had been interred: but whether from some defect of form, or otherwise, the grant was re-assumed by Robert Blanchmains, Earl of Leicester, who had married Ivo's daughter, and, with her consent, and that of their sons, granted the Manor and Church of Broxbourn to the Knights Hospitallers of St. John of Jerusalem, who retained the manor till the period of the Dissolution; but re-granted the Church to the Bishops of London. Henry the Eighth sold Broxbourn, and its appurtenances, to John Cock, Esq. who was Sheriff of Herts and Essex in the time of Edward the Sixth. His son, Henry, was knighted by Queen Elizabeth; and at his death left a daughter and co-heiress, married to Sir Robert Oxenbridge. Their daughter, Ursula, married Sir John Monson, who was made a Knight of the Bath at the Coronation of Charles the First; and in his family it continued till the death of the late Lord Monson; but is now the property of Jacob Bosanquet, Esq. an eminent banker, and a Director of the East India Company..

Broxbourn Church is a handsome fabric, probably of the time of Henry the Sixth; it consists of a nave, chancel, and aisles, with a tower at the west end, terminated by an octagonal spire, and a small chapel, connecting with the chancel at the end of each an gle. The chapel on the north side, was built in the reign of Hen

ry the Eighth, by Sir William Say, Knt. as appears from the following inscription on a frieze surrounding the outer side, and which is intersected with shields of arms.

Pray for the welfayr of Syr Wylyam Say, Knygt, wych fodyd yis chapel in honor a ye trenete the year of our lord goD

1522.

The workmanship of this chapel is in a very superior style. Be neath the arch which separates it from the chancel, is an elegant altar-tomb of grey marble, of a reddish hue; having a rich canopy, supported on four octagonal columns. This was erected in memory of the above SIR WILLIAM SAY, who died in December, 1529, the twenty-first of Henry the Eighth; and his 'wyffs, Genevese, and Elizabyth." On the sides of the tomb have been brass plates, containing the arms of the family, together with ten others of whole-length figures, all which are gone: and against the east end, under the canopy, have been brasses, representing a Knight, and two Ladies, kneeling beneath a representation of the Trinity. On the upper part of the canopy, the crest of the Says, a stag's head, is repeated on different shields.↑

Beneath the arch between the chancel and the south chapel, is a large altar-tomb in memory of SIR JOHN SAY, Knt. and ELIZABETH, his wife. On the slab which covers the tomb, are Brasses of the Knight and his Lady: the former in armour, with his tabard of arms above, gauntlets on his hands, and a long sword coming before him. His Lady is richly apparelled in a close dress, with

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* Weever's Fun. Mon. Edit. 1631.

On the north side of this Chapel is a square tower, connecting with the chancel by means of a small door, divided into two stories; the ascent to the upper story being by a small under stair case: the windows are very narrow, and well defended by iron bars. This tower was doubtless erected for the safe keeping of the vests, the rich silver cha. lices, and the 'other vessels, used in the celebration of high mass; and probably had a small altar in it, as was customary in these places.